USA TODAYs new book club selection, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, needs no introduction - or sales assistance. J.K. Rowlings fifth novel is the fastest-selling book in American publishing history: Chat with Kansas State University professor Phil Nel about this month's selection.

Comment from Phil Nel:
Welcome to this USA TODAY Book Club chat! I look forward to hearing your questions, and I think we'll have fun.indianapolis:
Do you see the series going beond the seventh book either with co-writers or writers with directional control from Rowling?

Phil Nel:
No, I don't. Rowling has said she'll stop at a seventh book. She's also said she doesn't want to commit saying the seventh book will be the last because you never know. I'm certain she wouldn't want someone else to continue the story on her behalf. I think if there are any stories beyond book seven, she'll write them. But keep in mind these books are getting longer and longer. The fourth book is at least two books, if not three. The fifth book is maybe three or four books long. Given the increasing length of the books, I think there will be plenty of Potter for us to read.Greenville, WI:
Teaching Harry Occlumency was very important so why did Dumbledore leave it to Snape to teach him? Didn't he know it would not work out due to the animosity between them?

Phil Nel:
Ah, that is an excellent question. I see we have a very close reader of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix."

This is why Voldemort can see into the minds of other people. And since he can see not only into Harry's mind but through Harry's mind, there would be a danger in Dumbledore teaching Harry, because Dumbledore knows everything about the Order of the Phoenix. This is why Dumbledore will not meet Harry's eyes. You may notice that, for example, in the scene in Dumbledore's office following Harry's vision of the snake attack, Dumbledore will not meet Harry's eyes and Harry is annoyed by this.

But you may remember in that same scene Harry, as he looks at Dumbledore, feels like he wants to bite him. And the reason for that is Voldemort is still seing though him to some degree. So in Occlumency, you are literally looking into someone else's mind. And they, in turn, can look back into your mind and try to read what they see. This is what happens during instruction with Snape. It would be dangerous to say the least if Voldermort were to eclipse Dumbledore's mind or really anything of Dumbledore's plans.Winchester, KY:
This book set up the final battle where either Harry or Voldemort will die, so will the plot of the 6th book be as interesting, since we know that the 7th book will have the showdown?

Phil Nel:
Yes. I think it will be interesting. I mean, what we'll see in the sixth book will be the Ministry of Magic coming to terms with the blunders it made during the fifth book. And the battle against Voldemort and his death-eaters will begin in the sixth book, and I think that will be very exciting.

And we'll also see Dumbledore teaching Harry Occlumency, the return of Rita Skeeter (her ban on reporting will be up, so she'll be back at the "Daily Prophet"), a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. So they'll be plenty to hold our interests.Cincinnati, Ohio:
Do you think there is anything significant relating to Sirius Black and the "Stubby Boardman" claim that Harry read about in the Quibbler? Possibly a hint of another story line, or just a silly little detail that Rowling included?

Phil Nel:
I would go with "silly little detail." The Baffler is a spoof on tabloid newspapers, so the notion that Sirius Black is really lead singer Stubby Boardman is really a joke.

The fun thing about the Quibbler is Rowling doesn't discredit it entirely. In having Harry interview first appear in the Quibbler, she also suggests that sometimes tabloids and other fringe media can be a place to read stories, true stories, that the mainstream media won't touch.:
Dear Professor,
Why is it the sale of the book "Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix" has created such a craze - with people queuing up to purchase it? Couldn't the people waited and come later and buy it?
Is it because the publicity blitz has hoodwinked the average reader ?

Phil Nel:
Well, I think you have a point. Certainly the publicity contributes to what you describe. On the other hand, I have to feel that readers are more intelligent than all that. If the books weren't any good, I don't know that they would show up in droves at midnight. So my answer, I guess, is both yes and no. Marketing plays a role, but these are exciting, fun, suspenseful books. We want to know what happens next, and we've waited three years.West Palm Beach, FL :
When she appeared at Albert Hall, JK said that several characters and incidents in OotP were placed there because they would have significance in later books (much as Dumbledore mentioning in Chamber of Secrets a room full of chamber pots -- which has significance in OotP). Have you picked up on what some of these "extras" are and how do you think they will impact later books?

Phil Nel:
Wow, that's another really great question. Hmmm. Yes, one moral of this book is learning to master your emotions. That is going to be key to Harry's success. So I think the whole Occlumency subject will be absolutely crucial in future books.

We've seen another way that Voldemort can mislead not only Harry, but the entire Order. And it's through Harry's failure to master himself. So I think that will be key in the future.

I don't think I've had long enough to think about the book that I could say a whole lot more as of yet, but it's an excellent question.Comment from Phil Nel:
Just a footnote: Neville Longbottom will be increasingly important in the future books. He's becoming more like his parents, who were very respected in the wizarding world and were members of the Order.calera, AL:
Phil, thanks for the chat.
HPOF was much longer than the previous books. Will we see this kind of increase in the pages of the next book?

Phil Nel:
As the series continues, her narrative arc expands, which is to say we see more and more of the wizarding world. It's no longer just focused on Hogwarts. And the reason for this is that Rowling reveals her history through narrative, in contrast to, say, Tolkien, who does the opposite. He conveys narrative through history. And what I mean by this is that Rowling, first and foremost, is a master of narrative, and so as she shows us more and more of the world outside Hogwarts, it will all come through the story.

That's why the novels are becoming longer and, I suspect, why they will continue to grow in size. She's already said the seventh will be the longest of all.Galesburg, IL:
How did Hermione get her wand back after the skirmish in the forest with the centaurs? Ron returned Harry's wand to him but I didn't find a reference to Hermione and her wand but I know she had it when they were fighting the Death Eaters at the Ministry. Thanks

Phil Nel:
I don't remember, either! I'd have to go back and look. It could be, simply, a detail that was omitted to keep the plot moving quickly. Or it could be that it's there and we missed it. I suspect we're to assume she picked it back up.

I guess if it were crucial Rowling would have said something.Dallas, TX:
At the end of the 4th book, Dumbledore had "a look of triumph" when he found out that Voldemort had some of Harry's blood in him (from his reincarnation, whatever you call it). Is perhaps this the reason why Harry and Voldemort have a new connection (i.e. Harry can see through Voldemort's eyes and feel his sensations, etc.)? Also, do you think that Trelawney will make any more prophecies?

Phil Nel:
In answer to the first question, I don't think that's the reason Dumbledore has a gleam in his eye. I think Dumbledore has the gleam in his eye because, in using Harry's blood to bring himself back to life, Voldemort has given himself a weakness of which he (that is, Voldemort) is not aware.

So the feeling of triumph Dumbledore has tells us that Voldemort is not as invincible as he thinks he is.

As for the second question, she might. We are more sympathetic to her by the end of this book. But more importantly, she's made one other prophecy. A true prophecy. So, given that, I think that's a possibility.Cherry Hill, NJ:
Do you think theses books have helped the childrens book industry among adults. In other words, more adults are enjoying childrens books who would other wise dismiss them as trivial

Phil Nel:
Yeah, I do think so. And I think that is, so far, a benefit of the series. Whether this benefit will continue after the hype dies down, I don't know. I certainly hope it does, but I honestly don't know.San diago, CA:
I have notice that these books have gotten,. well for lack of better words, dark, deeper and more interesting as an adult reader. Is this a direct result in the character of Harry getting older in each book? Or has just he style of the author changed?

Phil Nel:
I think you're right on both counts. As Harry moves toward into adulthood, the themes of the book do also. That is to say, they become concerned with more "adult" issues. And in terms of style, I think what we're seeing now is a fuller scope of the series. If you put your Harry Potter books on the shelf and look at them, you can see just how long a story this is.

As the epic scope becomes more apparent, the complexity of the books becomes more apparent also.Cheathill, PA:
I am really confused about the prohpecy in the end. When it say neither shall live while the other is alive ( or something like that). Does that mean that both will die or just one by the hands of the other?

Phil Nel:
One has to kill the other. So, in book seven, either Harry will live or Voldemort will live. But not both.Nesconset, NY:
Do you think Neville will turn out to be the real hero, with Harry just a decoy all this time?

Phil Nel:
Well, no. I certainly think that Neville's importance will continue to grow in the series and I'm intrigued by your question, because, as you know, Rowling likes to mislead us. This is one of the pleasures of reading the books -- that they are mysteries, and there are clues to tempt us sometimes into incorrect assumptions.

However, I think Harry will continue to be the hero.Wilm , Del:
Harry has lost just about every parent figure he had. His parents and Black. Who do you think is next?

Phil Nel:
Well, I think that by the end of book seven, Dumbledore will die. But I don't know he'll be next, because he has to teach and guide Harry further before Rowling will allow him to be killed.

Apart from that, I wouldn't venture a prediction. I would never have guessed the identity of the victim in this book, nor would I have guessed the identity of the victim in book four.Hope Well, PA:
There are some discussions in the literary world if these books are great literature of just plain fun. What defines a great work of art.? Should not that be a person choice?

Phil Nel:
Well, first of all, I would say that to create a dichotomy between classic and fun may not be helpful. However, people (critics, particularly) do tend to elevate the serious, the difficult, the tragic over the fun, the popular, the books people actually like.

That said, I think that the Harry Potter books do have many elements that people look for when defining a classic. For example, the books work on multiple levels. There are many levels of meaning to these books. Take the wordplay. Narcissa Malfoy, Draco's mother, is named for Narcissus (the character in mythology who fell in love with herself). Or Minerva McGonagall, her first name is from the Roman goddess of wisdom. Malfoy is kind of archaic French for bad faith.

Another level of the books is the political message Rowling has. The enemy of the series is bigotry. The notion that "pure blood" wizards are better and deserve more rights than other witches and wizards is, essentially, a racist argument. And that's what Voldemort, Malfoy and the Death Eaters all believe. The good guys don't! They believe that it's what you do, the choices you make, that you should be judged by. Not by how you are born.

The novels blend many different influences into a unique combination. Some of those influences are fantasy novels, the boarding school novel, classical mythology, Lewis Carroll, mystery novels, numerology and many more. It is this synthesis that makes them such rich texts, texts that reward re-reading. And ultimately, it is the texts that reward re-reading that become classics.Hamden, CT:
Do you think we'll see more of Hermione's friend Krum who appeared in Book 4?

Phil Nel:
Absolutely. He and other characters, such as Fleur, will be crucial in the alliance that Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix are assembling to fight Voldemort and his minions.

I think that's why Rowling kept Krum's name in our consciousness by having Hermione write to him in book five. She wants us to remember him.new york:
Any idea of when next book will be published?

Phil Nel:
No. Wish I did, but no idea. I think that given the increasing length of these novels, we shouldn't expect one next year. Maybe 2005, at the earliest. (Of course, I hope it will come sooner. And this is all a guess.)Austin Texas:
What do you think about the part when Loony and Harry was talking about people who die and the "beyond the veil" thing was talked about. I got alittle lost there.

Phil Nel:
Well, Luna Lovegood and Harry talk about death, and it's the reason they can see the phestrals, and of course the character who dies in book five literally goes beyond the veil.

I'm not really sure that I understand your question enough to say any more, except that perhaps people who have seen death or have known someone who has died see the world and experience the world a little differently than others.Boston, MA:
I've heard stories about Rowling (or her lawyers) being difficult with authors who have tried to write about Potter. Did you have any experience of that with your book?

Phil Nel:
Well, I can tell you that it was either Warner Bros.'s lawyers or Christopher Little's lawyers (Little is Rowling's agent) -- I don't remember -- who insisted that my own book have "This publication has not been authorized by J.K. Rowling or Warner Bros." on it. And they insist that anybody who publishes a book on Harry Potter or Rowling put that on the book. And in fact, just before my book -- "J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter Novels: A Reader's Guide" (Continuum Publishing, 2001) -- was being published they were insisting the text disclaimer of that be larger on the cover.

Another restriction that they have tried to place on people who write about Harry is quoting from the books and how much you quote. I know too that Lana Whited, who edited "The Ivory Tower and Harry Potter: Perspectives on a Literary Phenomenon," had to make sure that we weren't quoting too much from the books. In fact, I think it was Warner Bros. who had sort of a percentage of the amount of words we could actually use. (In the interest of full disclosure, I have an essay in this book.)

Which is funny, because if you're writing literary criticism, your key evidence would be quotations from the novel.Troutdale, Or:
I love all the Harry Potter books, but I am finding with the latest much harder to read. Especially the first 6 chapters....slow, hard to follow. I am in the 10th chapter now and for it sjust starting to getinteresting and enjoyable to read. Dif you have this problem or has anyone expressed the same concern??

Phil Nel:
Well, the reading level of the books goes up with each book. So I do think they get more difficult as they go on. Also, as they become more like high fantasy (like Tolkien, in a way), they don't have quite the same tight mystery/page turner plot structure that you have in the first three books.

So in some ways the pace of the narrative is not as rapid. That may be another factor. The only other suggestion I can think of is personally I find the audio books -- whether the ones by Stephen Fry, who does the British edition or Jim Dale, who does the American ones -- to be a great way to appreciate and enjoy the novels. Because in listening to them read, you have to go more slowly and think about everything. Whereas if you're going through quickly, trying to find out what happens next, you miss things.

So that's my other suggestion for people who find it's difficult. Hearing it performed on the audio books is very helpful.Midvale, Utah:
I have discussions with some friends on whether or not Sirius will some how return. Do you think J.K. Rowling will some how bring him back?

Phil Nel:
One thing that Rowling has said when people ask her if Harry will be able to see his parents again is "No, death is final." And a reason she says this is I think related to her own experience. Her mother died of multiple sclerosis at the age of 45 in 1990. This was six months after Rowling first had the idea for Harry Potter, so a lot of the genesis of Harry Potter is caught up with her own feelings of loss for her mother.

When asked what she would see in the Mirror or Erised, she said she would see her mother, just as Harry would see his parents. That said, we do glimpse Harry's parents as apparitions in book four. So it's possible that some limited, perhaps spectral, version of Sirius may appear, but ultimately, there is no magic than can undo death.Comment from Phil Nel:
OK, we'll take one more question ...Oconomowoc, WI:
I always felt that Snape was one of the most complex characters in the books. The fifth book solidifies that feeling. Do you think a more congenial rapport between Harry and Snape might develop in 6 and 7?

Phil Nel:
I don't know that a more congenial rapport will develop; however, Snape is one of the most fascinating characters in the series because he is so ambiguous. And I expect that he and Harry will have to learn to work together and he's a character to watch, precisely because his motives are ambiguous and he is ambiguous. He is nasty to Harry, and he's saved Harry. He's a former Death Eater, and he's also an ally against Death Eaters. He's an interesting character.Comment from Phil Nel:
I would like to thank everyone for writing with such interesting, thoughtful, even provocative questions. (I'm still thinking about that question about what clues has Rowling planted in book five.)

Thanks again, and thanks to USATODAY.com for having me! And if you're looking for something to read while you wait for Potter's sixth, read Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy, which begins with "The Golden Compass." You might also try Terry Pratchett's "Disc World" series. I think "Equal Rites" would be a good one in that series for Potter fans. You might also try Diana Wynne Jones, Eoin Colfer or Ursula LeGuin -- her "Earthsea" series.